But I have trusted (or, I trust) in thy mercy. I know, i.e; that thou wilt not suffer me to be overcome by my enemy. Thou wilt save me; and therefore my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation, whereof I entertain no doubt. read more
I will sing unto the Lord . I will exchange my cry of despair, "How long?" ( Psalms 13:1 , Psalms 13:2 ), for a joyful song of thanksgiving; because already I am cheered, I am revived—he ( i.e. the Lord) hath dealt bountifully with me. And this mental revival is an assurance of deliverance to come. read more
A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060. The occasion of this Psalm was David’s deep and long-continued distress. He complains to God of his delaying to help him, 1, 2. Prays for support and comfort, 3, 4. Declares his trust in God, and promises to give thanks for his goodness, 5, 6. read more
Psalms 13:1-2. How long wilt thou forget That is, neglect or disregard; me, O Lord? for ever? Shall it be during my whole life? How long wilt thou hide thy face? Withdraw thy favour and assistance? How long shall I take counsel, &c. How long shall I be in such perplexities and anxieties of mind, not knowing what course to take, nor how to get out of my troubles? read more
Psalms 13:3-5. Lighten mine eyes Because I find my own counsels insufficient, do thou enlighten my mind, and guide me by thy counsel into the right way of obtaining thy merciful help. Or, he means, Do thou revive, and comfort, and deliver me from the darkness of death, which is ready to come upon me, and to close mine eyes. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him Namely, by my art or strength; which will reflect dishonour on thee, as if thou wert either unfaithful and unmindful... read more
Psalms 13:6. He hath dealt bountifully with me Either, 1st, In giving me that support and assurance of his favour which I enjoy at the present; or 2d, In giving me gracious promises of the deliverance and help which I expect; it being a common thing for David and other prophets to speak of future deliverances as if they were really come, that so they might signify both the infallible certainty of the thing and their firm assurance thereof. read more
Psalms 11-13 Persevere . . . or give in?There came a time when David became tired of his continual flight from Saul, not just because it was wearying, but because it was cutting him off from the public worship places of God’s people (1 Samuel 26:19). His spiritual life was weakened and he gave in to the temptation to leave his own country for the safety of enemy Philistia (1 Samuel 27:1). This is the sort of temptation that David considers in Psalms 11:0, the temptation to go along with... read more
How long . . . ? = Until when? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Four times repeated is the Figure of speech Anaphora. App-6 . forget . . . face. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. See Psalms 9:12 , Psalms 9:17 , Psalms 9:18 , and Psalms 10:11 , Psalms 10:12 . LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . read more
my soul = myself (emph.) Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 13:4
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him. The triumph of David's enemy over him, whether he were Saul or any one else, even the ideal wicked man, would be the triumph of evil over good, of those who had cast God behind their back over those who faithfully served him, of irreligion over piety. He could therefore appeal to God—not in his own personal interest, but in the interest of truth and right, and the general good of mankind—to prevent his enemy's triumph. And those that trouble... read more